Isnt it ironic...Mary on my mind...and me in jeans...no tux. Ive had some time to reflect on working with the homeless last night. My post inspired by..... the fact that while we were walking, being fed and handing out essentials to the homeless, 3 blocks away, another world from the world they are living...the opening, we missed, of the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts. Oh dont get me wrong, Im ecstatic we have this amazing icon and benefit for our community. Its just an interesting reflection. While learning from Thomas Francis Rebman, the teacher who went homeless for 30 days, the lay of the land...I learned more than I could have possibly learned at the opening. Learning 1: The traditional acknowledgements when you look at a person and smile...wasnt necessarily well received in the beginning. Im sure many of the people I tried to walk up to and say hello to were suspect. There was one lady, in particular, that reminded me of my mom... Betty Parker Ross. She was in her 70s Id learn, with short silver hair...just like my mom. I said hello to her early on...and she just looked at me. In my car, as provided by Commissioner Regina Hill (the only elected official who participated in our event), were new blankets and pillows. At some point, later in the evening, Mary walked over to me. She said, I heard you had pillows and blankets. I said, absolutely. I walked to my car, just a few feet away, and grabbed the pillows and blankets. You would have thought I was handing out a million dollars. I went up to Mary first and handed her a new blanket and a pillow. A line quickly forming behind her. Id soon realize I had far from enough of what the more than 200 people needed or desired. I handed Mary her blanket. She said, Thank you and God bless you. I quickly handed out the rest of the goods. But Mary stayed nearby. So I walked over as she was standing and eating with a bag of toiletries. I felt now, with her guard was down a bit, Id try to talk with her. In my mind, although of course conversations of the holidays are upon us all, I stayed clear of that. I asked her about the food...is it good? She says, I have no family to speak of. Ive been homeless for a while. This is my family now. She had decided to tell me what she must have known I wondered. I really didnt know what to say to her. So I said, Mary, I want you to know you are valued and were here tonight to remind you...people care. Please be safe and stay warm...ok? She acknowledged. It was the Mary Tiffany in me...(she is good at reminding people how to be compassionate...something Im learning more everyday) Learning 2: The reality, Mary isnt safe. In fact, some homeless actually take from each other. We learned that the downtown library, one of thier key social gathering locations where they can watch movies or check-in with family via the internet, has substantial restrictions put in place as of November 1st, which limits the size and type of bags they can bring into the building. So they often hide their belongings, or so they think, so they can go inside. I heard from many their bags had been stolen. Imagine that, you carry all you own in your backpack or suitcase, and even that is taken from you? By now, 6pm, its getting dark and as I see from my news feed...everyone is arriving at the performing arts center, decked in their best dress or tux. The helicopters are hovering to try and get a glimpse of the gala...and Im looking at young men and teenagers, mostly black, so thankful for our offering to them. Its ironic. Learning 3: The blue box at Central and Orange. There are roughly 23 locations, in the City of Orlando, where panhandling is permitted. One is the high traffic area of Central Avenue and Orange Avenue. But ...and there is a but, while I hear its one of the top places to earn or ask for money, you are NOT allowed to leave the blue outlined box or look anywhere but at the building at the corner of Orange and Central. Youre not allowed to leave the box, sit down in the box, look at traffic on Orange or Central, you are only allowed to look at the building. We met a gentleman, on our tour, who was working in the box. Hed been there all day. Can you imagine that...looking at a building all day asking for money from passerbys? And let it be known, according to Thomas, you will be arrested and taken to jail if you violate any of the above. Even that is hard to imagine. Our jails are crowded enough arent they? Ill suggest...I dont think the homeless are the biggest risk and its simply a waste of dollars to put people in jail for looking at something other than the wall of a building. Learning 4: Hoodies are a hit. Jose J. Cabrera had gone & purchased new hoodies and sweatshirts for our give-a-way. Once people realized we had them, EVERYONE wanted a hoody. If we do this again, hoodies will be at the top of the request list. My guess...its all about creating a safe warm place..privacy. Learning 5: We live less than a mile from the brilliance of our new performing arts center and are blocks away from an epidemic in homelessness. We can walk to the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts...its beautiful. But we can also, just a few blocks further, visit people nightly at St. Georges Greek Orthodox Church who are simply looking for food. Isnt that ironic? So last night, yes, I chose jeans and hanging out with the homeless over a black-tie opening. But you know what? What I felt...or feel today, can never be replaced. I came home to my amazing man in Brian Fenn, our beautiful herd of babies, a warm house...and I felt safe. After it was all over, Glenda Chauncy (who really helped drive the event) and I sat down for a glass of wine to reflect. I mean, I was on the phone from 9:15am to 4pm (off and on) yesterday simply trying to process a gift card gift of $500 so we could by more stuff at Target. My email address was flagged with all the activity in so few days. In fact, we announced this event on Monday...and in addition to so many direct donations of product...we also raised over $1,000 from friends of this effort. Mostly in the last few days. Thats just awesome. For me, watching friends near and far...whether stuffing bags, dropping off goods or donating money..e together...thats powerful. It reminds me people truly do care. They simply need an organized plan to learn where they can plug themselves into...to make one evening...just a little better for those who are homeless. To everyone who stepped up, either publicly or privately, thank you. To those who didnt...know, well have a chance for you to help again. To those that messaged me they simply didnt have anything or money to donate...know that being brave enough to message me, alone...is a contribution...and thank you. Being homeless is not the City, the County, or anyone in particulars problem. Its all of our problem. Youll not find the homeless in Windermere or Alaqua or Lake Nona. But you will find them downtown. Youll find them a few blocks away from where our City and County are governed. Youll find them a few blocks away from black tie events. And, like Mary, when you find them...please dont judge them. Mary once was a mother, a neighbor, a colleague...a friend to many. Mary is homeless and in her 70s...I simply cant imagine what it must be like to know where you can get a meal, but not know where youll find a safe place to sleep. I simply cant imagine my mom...being Mary. But, I doubt Mary wanted to be there to begin with...its just happened. As we head into the holidays...Ive already received the biggest gift of all...in being thankful. So many to thank for last nights success...but here are a few:) (in alphabetical order) Amy Fields Andrew Garafalo Brian Fenn Cathy Gaudio Jensen Chad Cronnon Chadwick Hardee Cheryl Fougerousse Commissioner Regina Hill Daniel Wilson Doug Kaplan Glenda Chauncy Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Orlando International Drive Jennifer Decker Jerry Pitts Jose Cabrera Kay Rawlins Kim Rollings Kimberly Wren Ray Marriott Courtyard, Carolina Beach, NC MaryJo Pezzi Orlando City Soccer Orlando Health Patti Ho Raul& Vivianna Murciano Ricky Ly Robbie Ford Roberta Bailey Roger Scott Shirley Stamper The amazing team, with Manager Sean Bacon, at SODO Target. Thomas Francis Rebman (the teacher that went homeless for 30 days) Tom Tillison Travelodge Orlando Downtown Thank you....thank you...thank you. Save the date: OCPV Gives Back 2, Saturday December 20th, 4pm St. Georges Greek Orthodox Church. Because we can...together we can make a difference. TOGETHER WE ARE. Andrae Bailey
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 18:34:25 +0000
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